CLAIM:
A mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder, and black tea can permanently darken grey hair after one application

FACT:
False. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that this mixture can permanently darken grey hair

An Instagram reel posted by @abhi.healthguru suggests that applying a homemade mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder, and black tea can turn grey hair dark, after just one use. The post has over 1 million views and 27,000 likes on Instagram, and more than 3,000 shares on YouTube. 

“Half of the world's population doesn't know that a mixture hidden in their kitchen can naturally darken the grey hair. The big companies have been hiding this secret for the past 500 years,” the influencer in the video says.

He suggests mixing a spoonful of aloe vera gel with coffee powder and black tea and applying it to grey hair. 

"Just one application of this mixture will make your hair darker than coal. The effect will last for 250 years,” he claims. 

Fact check

Not many studies exist on the efficacy of this mixture,  Dr Rashmi Sarkar, a dermatologist based in New Delhi, told First Check. 

"Aloe vera does have moisturizing and medicinal properties, and while there aren't robust studies on its effect on greying hair, it can be used as a conditioner, perhaps in combination with other preparations," she explained.

Scientific research reveals that greying hair is a natural process linked to aging. It results from the gradual loss of melanin production in hair follicles, which cannot be reversed by topical treatments like the one suggested in the reel. 

Some greying, according to Dr Sarkar, can begin after the age of 30, though it doesn’t always affect the entire scalp. 

“Early greying can be caused by genetic factors, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disorders, or certain medications. Deficiencies in B vitamins, iron, and other nutrients can also lead to premature greying," she mentioned, adding there was no "cure" for greying hair. 

“We have to address the underlying causes. If you find that it is due to a thyroid disorder or anaemia, then those conditions can be treated,” she said. “Otherwise, the best you can do is camouflage the greying," This can be done with hair dyes or supplements to improve nutritional deficiencies.” 

She, however, stressed that, "there isn’t a sure-shot remedy" for reversing greying, although anecdotal reports occasionally suggest otherwise.

A study published in Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine found that coffee applied to hair provided a natural, nuanced effect, darkening grey hair but not uniformly staining it brown. Participants found it a low-risk, inexpensive, and acceptable alternative for reducing greyness. However, further research is needed to explore its long-term effects and improve color permanency.

Another study investigated the colouring effects of herbal hair formulations on greying hair, noting that while certain herbal ingredients may darken hair, they do not tackle the underlying causes of greying.

Thus, the claim that a mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder, and black tea can darken grey hair permanently after one application is false and misleading.

Also read: Fact Check: Can drinking too much coffee trigger hair loss? - First Check

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